The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-12-26


list, while those who chose Joined In singing.
The gathering In the ooms, ibis sunda,
night In question, was smaller than usual.
Every body's out OF tune" said Schuyler
Rhinclander. THAT ducklng this morning
made good many rusty chords
But those who were present seemed dOubl,
determined to have a pleasant evening, and
naturally they succeeded.
at last some one In a PARKWAY corner
called out
please, Mrs McEIroy, sing us Flee as .
blrd.w
She hcstatcd, but for moment only, then
turned toward the voice aud asked simply
"Arc YOU sure that IL would he pleasant for
the rcstW
"Oh, YES, indeed"
'Do be so kind"
at would be so lovely for closngn
And so adjured she rose from her chair and
took her place at the instrument
A waiting hush fell over the room. II was
rare that the lady would sing In public, and 1t
was the best tribute to the spell OF her mar
vclous voice that when she did so no other
| sound ever disturbed the silence
She was clad in a soft dove-coored ! ndia
SIX, that fell about her figure IN graceful
folds, and trailed gracefully over the carpet as
she walked. The gray hair was lighted bv the
glimmcr Of the waIen candles, and look OF
quiet peace and contentment illumined
| the still charming face, which was !e.icate!y
! flushed now with the consciousness OF obser-
| vation which she dislillcd.
She struck the first chords, gently, but with
| the precision of one who understood her task.
Mrs McElroy Is beautiful woman"
commented Philip Livingston to the young
lady by whom he was sitting.
"Ohv' she replied with the enthusiasm OF
grl-hood." 'She is perfectly lovely aud rs
much so In character as In her person. Just
| witch her face How calm and bright II
I is, and bow forgetful of everything what she
is TO do She seems to me like one who has
been through great troubles, and now has
gotten over beyond, into quiet waters which
no passing breeze can rauiile. But bark! she
Is beginning"
Low and sweet, like the opening song of u
bird, the clear voice took up the refrain, Their
rose and filed with power and richest melody.
As Csryl Hcpworth had said, the singer
seemed to forget all but the meaning OF her
words, and all the tender pathos Of that i'm
ploring cry to him "who is weary of sin,n
hoaicd to every hearers innermost heart
No one moved till she had finished; and
even then, like the hush after service, the
silence lasted for a little till the lady broke 1t
by rising from the piano, and smiling her APP
probation of the thanks now sbowered upon
her.
II am glad to have pleased you,n she said
simply. II do not sing often, nowadays.
But 1t is late, and will say goodnight"
So she slipped away, and the soft rustic OF
her silkcn train grew low and faint AS she
passed down the long corridor
Phillip Livingston was not a marrying man.
All the society mammas knew that, and for
once felt no envy as this or that ones daugh.
ter was gratifed by some pleasing attention."
Perhaps any one OF them might have been
glad to welcome hin. for son.in-aw, gray
hairs and all, hut none expected IL.
His story had been simple though bitterly
painful and everybody knew it, lie was mar.
ried early In life--"Too young to know his
own mind, Schuyler Rhinelsnder said-and
mis- wife had proved unworthy of the honora.
bic name he gave her. She had disappeared,
one morning, and cloud fell over his hearth
stone which threatened to darken II for
ever
Angry with her for the disgrace she had
| brought upon him, the deserted husband
vowed nevermore to trust woman.
Time, however, that brought him news OF
the erring ones miserable death, softened
the anger into pitiful remembrance, and
showed him the iuiu stlce of his sweeping
curse on all her sex.
| SO he became corte Gus to all, resumed the
little amenities of life, mixed with his old &C
| quaintences, made some strong friend
| ships with noble women, and made love to
none.
But otis long lane,n etc; and the mis-.
| chieyous little hero of bow and culver fame
! Is never idle; so now he chooses his surest ar.
! row aud strung II OH the chord of womans
tender song, and aimed II at our widows
heat
TOO be such fool at INV age. Fifty yeats
old, aud falling in love POUNDS! I'll go
away from here tomorrow"
lie strobe i,upa.iently up aud down his
! room.
Besides, she'd never look at me, after that
miserable accident. Could mortal man ever
| have been made so absurdly rIdiculousf'
So he stamped TO bed and Cupid percbed
upon the head board, and guarded well his
| slumbers.
He did not go next day." When the tor
menting fever OF love attacks a man Of fifty,
| the disease becomes incurable.
On Monday morning he found that an ex-
ploring party was being made up, to ascend to
| the top Of the mountain and visit some old
mines there. Almost before he knew it,
Rhlnelander had arranged for his friends part
in the expedition, which was to include nearly
| all the guests OF the house